Archive for January 27th, 2015

In March 2009 schneider+schumacher won a competition run by the Förderverein Autobahnkirche Siegerland e.V, which was founded for the specific purpose of establishing an Autobahn church.

The initiative for this project came from Hanneliese and Hartmut Hering, after having visited an Autobahn church in south Germany. Just one glance at the map revealed that a place like this was lacking in the entire Siegerland area, and consequently also along the very busy A 45.

The two dwellings are connected by a “bridged” living space, providing continuity of the outdoor space. Located in a quiet space near a local primary school, the concept for this dwelling started with a dual yard layout, the front for guest parking and an aesthetically prioritised garden at the rear.

Designed as a nuclear family residence for a couple and their three children, Gurmail residence is envisaged as a quiet, natural retreat in sync with the latest technological aspects for the globally travelled techie client. Answering the challenge of creating a simple, automated yet distinguished design complying with the strict by-laws of the city, we decided to utilize the assets like a corner plot, favorable wind direction and excellent views to a well manicured garden in the front, to their maximum.

Located in the Cambie neighbourhood of Vancouver, the steeply sloping site affords views of the city and mountains beyond. The curved roof allows the mass of the new, modern home to step down the cross slope of the site without resorting to traditional forms, and imparts a sense of lightness and space to the upper floor, without losing the domestic sense of enclosure. There is a sectional split on the upper floor that isolates the master bedroom from secondary bedrooms, and allows for higher ceilings in the master bedroom. The secondary bedrooms have lower ceilings as the section defers importance to the higher ceilings of the living room below. The change in ceiling height on the main floor defines the space in an otherwise open floor plan. The rear roof terrace views the nearby park, while the front terrace has views of the city and mountains. The cross slope of the site positions the terraces above the adjacent neighbours creating a sense of privacy. The garage at lane elevation has a laneway house below that shares the rear yard with the main house. A flexible basement layout allows the owner the ability to adapt to future changes in use.

The “green room” project originates from architect Daniele Menichini’s eco-sustainable and eco-friendly approach to the projects he develops for the horeca sector, as well as for other client areas.

Each concept is developed by means of a search for solutions and products that have the least possible environmental impact and maximum energy saving – a philosophy that does not preclude elements of development, innovation and technology.